Sorry, We do not offer waxing services.
Operation Hair Follicle Vaporization!....and the tool of choice is.... LASER Hair Removal!
Laser hair removal history
Hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997 and have been approved for “permanent hair reduction” in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that although laser treatments with these devices will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair.
Laser hair removal has become popular because of its speed and efficacy, although some of the efficacy is dependent upon the skill and experience of the laser operator, and the choice and availability of different laser technologies used for the procedure.
Dr. Rox Anderson from the Wellman Institute at Harvard’s Mass General invented the concept of laser hair removal. Dr. Anderson graduated from MIT, and then received his MD degree magna cum laude from the joint MIT-Harvard medical program, Health Sciences and Technology.
Thomas B. Fitzpatrick is the famed doctor that worked on, and published the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale. This scale is the same scale we use today at THE BEAUTY TOOLBOX and is one of the key factors we use to help determine our patients’ skin type and ultimately, their candidacy for laser treatments. You can view the Fitzpatrick scale on the page titled "Skin Types for LHR explained.
At the Beauty Toolbox Lumines LightSheer Diode Laser is used for skin types 1-1V (see page titled skin types for LHR) and Palomar Starlux Nd 1064 YAG is used for V-VI skin types. See links below:
How Laser Hair Removal works
The focused, broad-spectrum light is applied to the surface of the skin way of a hand held hand peice with a built in coolant. This light travels through the skin until it strikes the hair shafs or the bulb(root) of the hair. The bulb is usually where the highest concentration of melanin(hair color) is located, as oppossed to the rest of the hair shaft. As the light is converted to heat energy , the bulb and most of the hair shaft are instantly vaporized.
The intense heat radiated by the hair also destroys the papilla. Contrary to what is often claimed, Photoepilation is not a permanant hair removal method but a permanant hair reduction. This means it will reduce the total number of body hairs permanently, they will not result in the permanant removal of all hair. The body changes annually and produces harmones that can bring about some new hair growth although hair that was treated may be gone, maintenance must be done after your initial treatments in order to kill new existing hair follicles.
Here are some important facts and information to read about LHR ...
The hair that gets removed during a treatment is that hair which is in its active growing phase (human hair is not always growing). Usually, that is about 10% - 20% of the hair in the treatment area. Hair follicles in their active growing stage will die and fall out in 3 to 14 days. Depending on the treated body area, wait 5 to 7 weeks for your next treatment. This period allows the remaining hair to move into the active growing phase so that your next treatment removes the maximum amount of hair. Therefore, most clients will need 4 to 8 treatments to achieve maximum results. **see chart below for hair stage details**
Temporary Redness and raised bumps are normal for certain skin types. Post laser gel is strongly recommened for treatment of temporary redness and helping the skin around the hair follicle stay moist while the hair purges from the follicle and falls out which can take up to 2 weeks.
Pre Treatment LHR Preparation
The area you are treating for laser hair removal needs to be shaved to skin level , although a days hair growth may be necessary and helpful so that the area that requires treatment is easily recognizable.
You must avoid waxing, plucking, threading or electrolysis of the hair for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. The laser needs the hair in the hair follicle in order to effectively destroy the hair follicle.
Avoid sun exposure for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. Do not use self tanning creams, lotions or sprays !! The lighter skin allows more energy to be delivered to the target. Skin bleaching creams such as Hydroquinone may be started 4-6 weeks prior to your treatment.
Be sure that the treatment area is fully washed off and has no makeup, lotions or topical medications.
Be certain that you are not on medications such as Accutane, Retin-A, Gold Therapy etc, at present or within the past 6 months. These medications, and several others, can make your skin susceptible to damage from the laser. If in doubt, please ask us for a list of the aforementioned medications.
Laser Hair removal CANNOT be performed on woman who are pregnant
Post treatment guidelines
Avoid bathing or washing with very hot water, Use tepid water. Wash gently. Keep the area clean.
Avoid any irritating medications or chemicals until skin has completely returned to normal. usually about 3-4 days post treatment. Examples of these irritants are Retin-A, Benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or astringents
Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 weeks after treatment. Protect the area with a sunscreen of higher than 30 SPF or else the skin may develop hyper-pigmentation/hypo-pigmentation marks.
The treated area may become pink, red, inflamed, or even blistered within 30 minutes and in rare instances last several hours to several days. Regular application of ice, cooling gels, Hydrocortisone or Neosporin is important for relief. Post laser gel is strongly recommened for treatment of temporary redness and helping the skin around the hair follicle stay moist while the hair purges from the follicle and falls out which can take up to 2 weeks.
Safety is THE NUMBER ONE priority!!!
Common Question... Why go to an Aesthetician for Laser treatments and not a physician or dermatoligist for laser treatments? My answer is: A Dermatoligist is a doctor and can prescribe medication and diagnose skin conditions. They often offer Laser Hair removal services and may or may not perform that procedure themselves, in many circumstances, a licensed Aesthetician will perform those services under the supervision of that dermatologist. In New York State, a licensed Aesthetician with a certificate in Laser, is qualified to perform these services as well, independantly as long as they have the proper training and experience, which I have had. For over six years in NYC, I have treated hundreds of skin types and have mastered laser technology for hair removal and other superficial laser procedures like IPL (photofacial) and have been very successful. I am confident I am using the safest equiptment and latest technology for your skin type to serve your needs and I look forward to serving YOU!